Chapter 2
Justin
WHEN I TOLD MY FAMILY that I wanted to open a branch of our winery in Brooklyn, they thought I was nuts.
That was almost ten years ago, and now I had one of the hottest event venues in Williamsburg.
Of course that probably wasn't what my parents thought of success. I followed the path they wanted with a business degree from Brown, but at thirty-two, I hadn't married someone with blood as blue as the Foster family of North Fork. Until I found a girl whose parents had the same hedge funds as mine, and a trust fund bigger than a house, they thought I was a failure.
But for now, I had the winery. All 1800 square feet of reclaimed barn wood, industrial lighting, and a temperature controlled room full of hundreds of vintage oak barrels, perfect for wine making.
"Luke, is that new blend going to be ready for tonight?" I barely looked up from my tablet as I walked in the back room where my winemaker, Luke, was swirling a glass of white wine.
The newest thing was orange wine, one where we kept the peels on it from the harvest and had it fermenting in the barrels since October.
"Are you going to be ready for tonight? I don't think you've slept since the white party." Luke raised his eyebrows.
We went to Brown together. He went for business as well, but enjoyed more of the social aspect of college. After years of working in marketing, and Luke specializing in craft beer making, we decided to go into the winery business together, even though some people thought we were a couple instead of business partners.
Luke shoved the wine glass right under my beard and forced me to look up. "Are you even listening to me, Justin?"
I finally looked up, and if he thought I looked like hell, Luke looked even worse. I kept things business casual and represented the hipster look, usually wearing a button-down shirt with suspenders and different bow ties to work. My brown hair was cut shorter on the sides and longer on top, making it fall into my eyes if I didn't put it back in a bun, which I did while I was working in the back or working out. I thought man buns were idiotic until more girls started hitting on me at the gym when I wore it.
But Luke was not the man bun type. He was more of the "no hair" type, with his shaved head and collection of old band t-shirts. But we all had a yin to our yang.
I grabbed the glass, swirled the wine around, and took a tiny sip, noting the hints of apricot and the extra sweetness added from the peel.
"I think we have a winner in the signature drink tonight. And, yes, I'm listening. I'm just trying to get everything in order."
"What's left to do, man? Relax. The Memorial Day Mixer is going to be legendary."
"Are you seriously still insisting on calling it that? It makes it sound like we're throwing a frat party in someone's basement."
Luke laughed, putting his hand on my back and the other arm out, looking up at the ceiling. "If you throw it, they will come."
I shook my head and glanced at my watch. I had another food delivery coming. Leanna was usually late with the jam, especially after market day. If she told me she was delivering at five, I expected it to be at six.
"Hello? Is anybody here?" A faint voice called from the front and echoed through the open air room, all the way to the back.
"Looks like my jam is here, you get the wine ready and I'll get these jars to Brady in the kitchen." I patted Luke's back.
"Okay, man, and relax, okay? Or at least try to."
I didn't bother responding and opened the door, walking out to our open air wine bar.
I expected to see Leanna with her bubbly personality and no boundaries, walking up behind the bar and helping herself.
But I froze when I saw quite possibly the most gorgeous woman on the planet, hefting three cases of jam.
"Here, let me help you with that!" I ran over and grabbed the cases, setting them on the bar.
"Thank you." Her voice was sweet, yet had an edge to it. Her long blonde hair fell in loose waves over her shoulders, landing right at the neckline of her tank top where I caught the tiniest hint of tanned cleavage. I would be lying if I didn't say my eyes quickly scanned over her jean shorts and down those legs. I shoved those thoughts out of my head, but couldn't help licking my lips, trying to regain some moisture, when she looked at me with the most gorgeous set of hazel eyes.
She smiled, crinkling the corners of her nose, and showing that she had one dimple on her cheek. What I wouldn't have given to be that dimple.
"Um, I was expecting Leanna, do you work for her?" I asked.
Great, Justin, way to act like a bumbling idiot.
"Oh, yeah, sorry. She had to run home so she asked that I deliver these. I just started, like literally just started. I landed in New York only a few hours ago."
"Oh, you're new in town?"
God I sounded cheesy. I had to look even cheesier, leaning up against the bar and grinning like an idiot. I wasn't exactly the smoothest operator when it came to meeting woman. This would explain why I was single and lived with a cat named Taylor.
"Yeah, following the dream to be a big writer. But sorry, you probably don't care about that. I should probably go any way, get back to my apartment."
Without even thinking, I darted my hand out putting it on hers. Damn her hand was soft. Were all girl’s hands this soft?
"I'm sorry if I made you feel like I was in a rush. You don't have to go right now. I just have to get these back to our chef. He's making a brown butter financier with the apricot lime jam and for the savory he likes to do the Frangelico peach with goat cheese on crusty French bread. They pair well with our new Rieslings."
She giggled. "I'm not really sure what any of that meant. I have to admit, I'm not much of a wine girl. I think the only stuff I've ever drank was some Boones Farm at a party in college."
I shook my head and couldn't help but smile. "Then you should probably share a glass with me and try something that doesn't come in a brown paper bag from the campus liquor store."
She looked down, slightly biting her bottom lip then letting it go as quickly as she did it. Shit, I knew I said the wrong thing. "No. I should get going. I don't want to interrupt you while you work, especially if you have an event."
"Well, then come back tonight. It's our first party of the summer and we're introducing our new summer blend. I can add you to the list if you give me your name?" I raised my eyebrows, willing her to tell me. Willing her to say yes.
A smile crossed her lips and it was one of the most beautiful smiles I'd ever seen, complete with that dimple. "Okay. Only if you tell me your name."
"Justin. Justin Foster." I took my hand off of hers only to embrace it again and shake it.
"As in Foster Family Vineyards?" She raised an eyebrow.
"You know about my family's vineyard and you just got here?"
She giggled, letting go of my hand, and pointing at the wall behind me. "I figured it out from that giant stained glass."
I glanced behind me, even though I knew it was there. Mom had an artist do a stained glass portrait of the vineyard complete with our name on it. It was the only pop of color in the otherwise gray and browns of the bar. "Oh, heh, yeah that'd be me."
"That's pretty cool. I guess. I don't think I've ever been to a winery. I think there was one near my parents in Missouri, but never actually went to it."
"Oh, you'd love it. It's up in North Fork and near the water. Acres and acres of grapes and trees. It's just beautiful."
She smiled. "Sounds like it."
"Not that Brooklyn isn't beautiful in its own right," I stumbled. God, I sucked talking to girls.
"But, I'll stop bothering you, if you just give me your name to put on the guest list and be back here at nine?"
She smiled. "It's Willa. Willa Stowe."
I returned her smile. "Well, Willa, I hope to see you tonight."
She nodded. "I'll see you then."
I watched her turn, and couldn't keep myself from staring at the curve of her hips as she practically swayed out the door. I couldn't keep my eyes off of her, tossing her blonde hair over her shoulder and unlocking a little pink bike.
She seriously rode a bike with cases of jelly? Leanna usually drove her big VW bus. Maybe next time I'd have to pick up the jam, instead of making her travel all this way.
If there was a next time.
I probably scared her off.
God, could I be any more awkward?
"Whoa, who the hell is the hot blonde?"
I didn't even hear Luke until he was right beside me, putting his hand on my shoulder.
I clenched my fists. "Her name is Willa. She works for Luscious Leanna's Sweet Treats."
He rubbed his jaw. "I've got something sweet I'd like to give her."
I watched Willa until her and that little pink bike disappeared.
"I don't think she'd be into that," I mumbled, grabbing the crates of jam.
"Whoa, whoa. Wait a second."
Luke followed me to the kitchen behind the bar. Brady had just got there and was putting on a hat over his green Mohawk. "Hey, Justin, is that the jam?"
"Yeah. It's all here. Hopefully people come to eat it."
Brady laughed, showing the hints of gold in his teeth. Brady wasn't exactly the most upstanding of citizens and had done some time, but he was one hell of a good chef and had never done me wrong. "You underestimate the power of your wine, bro."
Luke stepped to the side and leaned against the counter, crossing his arms over his chest. "Hey, don't change the subject, Justin. I think you have a thing for Willa."
Brady raised a brow, looking between the two of us. "Who is Willa?"
I opened my mouth to speak, but Luke was faster. "The new hottie who works for the jam maker. Justin was staring at her with bigger puppy dog eyes than he has for that blonde country singer."
"Hey, leave the music out of this!" I tried to keep my voice calm. I was always the calm one, even when Luke went through the shuffle on my phone and found all of my country music. I was a hipster with a country music playlist and a cat. A real winner.
"Oh, man, I haven't seen you hooked on a girl...in..." Brady tapped his fingers on his chin.
"Ever," Luke finished.
Brady nodded. "Yeah, man, she must be one hell of a lady for you to be chasing her."
I shook my head, running my fingers through my hair as I let out a deep breath. "I don't even know her, guys. It could be nothing and she probably thinks I'm an idiot that really likes talking about wine."
Luke laughed, slapping my back. "You are an idiot that really likes talking about wine, but you're also a good guy. Now we just have to make sure she does come back tonight and you don't make a fool of yourself."
I ran my hands over my face. "Tough call on that."
Brady smiled and opened one of the jars of jam, taking a big whiff. "Well, we can entice her with this jam and your wine, and hope she gets reeled in after that."